Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-05-30
THE CENTRAL'S NEW PASTOR.

Rev. A. B. Medium breaches an Able
Sermon on the Introduction of Chris
tianity Into Europe Outline Of the
Discourse.
A large congregation greeted Rev. A. B.
Medium, the newly elected pastor of the
Central Presbyterian church yesterday
morning. His subject was the introduce
ton of christianity into Europe by Paul
of Philippi. Peculiar interest, he said,
attaches to the examination of the be-
ginning of every enterprise that happens
TO be succe ssful. The mind says, How
did it begn2 What were its first stepss
In the spread of the gospel apparently
insig aiticant incidents have been fraught
with the deepest interest on account
of the results that have followed. From
small beginnings it has spread in spite of
the most violent opposition and bitter
persecution. When we look upon the
hold that the gospel has upon the world
and the influence it has exerted in
moulding civiliz alton, we can not but re
gard it as the wonder of the world, and
believe that its origin and success are due
to higher power than man,
At the time Of Paul's visit to Philippi
there was practically no christianity in
Europe; all its nations were heather. He
had arrived at the shores of the Egean
sea, weary and disheartened by the treat :
ment received in the states of Asia Minor.
A vision called him into Macedonia. He
learned what every believer learns at
some time, that there is an underlying
direction in all the life. (.
AtPhilippi they met for prayer outside
the city by the river. We notice the en-
tire absence of all ostentation on this in-
PRODUCTION of christianity in Europe.
With no great attending crowd, and
unheralded. the key note of the
history of christianity in Europe
was struck not in lofty cathedral but at a
Sunday mornings prayer meeting. under a
tree, by the river bank The roman sol
der trod the streets of the city, the
magistrates held their courts aud all the
pomp OF the times shone about them
But in this retired spot few devout hearts
met to pray to their God. How insignif-
cant the beginning of this mighty power.
Despise not small things. The mighty
oak has its begin ming in the acorn, a half
dozen of which may be carried in the
vest pocket Few can occupy great
places. Gods simplicity is the sure guar
antee of success. The men are mentions
ed in this meeting. Paul's frequent ref
erence, IN his letters to the women of the
churches, shows the important part they
held in this early world. Well may
women stand by the gospel for it has l.
| ways been their friend. The sweetest
| light at the cross is woman. Be it to the
eternal honor of woman that she had
nothing to do with that most a~f full of all
tragedies, the crucifxion. She has shown
us courage, compassion. fortltude. devo-
ton. The mighty influence of women
in the propagation of the gospel is well
shown in the long list of names well
known to history Mans action is seen
on the street, in the senate or the field,
but behind all is the silent influence OF
woman purifying and ennobling all. WhC
can estimate the influence of a mothers
life. Let US thank God for what THU
book has done for woman.
The effectusl reception of ruth ant
Its influence upon the mind comes onl,
from the operation of divine grace tina
comes with prayer. All spiritual prayer
must come from God. All success
| lies in reliance upon God. W
are nothing God is all in all. TIL
spirit of the living God is the agenc
upon which We must rely. All effort
must be associated with prayer. W
must look to ourselves less and to Go
more
When the Lydia of Thyatera receive
the gospel into her heart she helpe
others. Here is lesson and an example
A religion that does not manifest itse
in practical every day life is as usele;
as salt that has lost its SAVIOR, waite
that will not run. Read God throug
the wants of others. We hear the voit
of Jesus speaking to us through II
; sufferings of those about US. The &C
of kindness, the cup of cold water, Il
word of cheer. return to Jesus to
acknowledged by him before the Faith
and the angels. l hear the voice
Jesus saying. feed my lambs, feed n
sheep. Charity begins at home, has b
come trite saying, but Gods chart
does not end there.
Mr.. Medium preached again last eve
IT ing His discourses are full of DEE
thought; his delivery is pleasing and
1t times eloquent